Zimbabwe ‘can’t afford an election’

Zimbabwe’s finance minister has said that elections can’t be held this year because there isn’t enough money available.

Tendai Biti said yesterday his ministry only has cash for a census in August and a referendum on a new constitution scheduled for about the same time.

President Robert Mugabe has called for elections this year to end a fragile three-year coalition with former opposition leader, prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai. The coalition was formed in 2009 after disputed and violent elections in 2008.

The finance ministry is controlled by Mr Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic Change party under the power-sharing deal.

Mr Mugabe has insisted that “money has to be found” for elections to go ahead this year, with or without a new constitution. Mr Tsvangirai says elections can only be held after constitutional reforms are complete.

Mr Mugabe, 88, has been nominated by his Zanu-PF party as the sole presidential candidate.

Mr Biti likened the census and the referendum to elections, in terms of spending.

“We have provided money for a referendum and also going to have elections in the form of a census,” he said. “We can’t afford a third election.”